I celebrate beautiful korean dramas and move on fast as much as I can from disappointing ones

Taiwan Drama List and Ratings

Here are my personal Taiwan drama picks… Still have a bundle to watch so I’ll just update it every now and then… ^_^

I’ll rate it the way it is rated by Asian drama addicts… 1-10 (10 being the highest) The first is how much I enjoyed it, the second is how I rated it and the third one is how I will recommend it.

♥ Meteor Garden (2001) – I gave credit to this drama, because my Asian drama addiction started when I was swept off my feet by 4 china-eyes hunks. This is a “rite of passage” Taiwan drama. This was my “first” Asian drama, and because it’s the first, it will always be special. At that time it was aired, it was a novelty… vibrant and undeniably addictive. With cute guys you can’t help but fall in love… interesting development of the love story… and romantic elements well injected to stimulate the audience’ romantic veins. These are reasons why you should watch it. Phenomenal, unsurpassed and spellbinding. 10/10/10

♥ It Started with a Kiss and They Kiss Again (2005 & 2007) – It’s the drama that I watch when I’m sad so I can feel better. It is so breezy, flowing and never a dull moment. The endearing chemistry of the lead couple was one of the best I have ever seen in the Asian drama land. 10/10/10

♥ Autumn’s Concerto (2009) – what’s strange about this drama is that the premise was typical, but superb directing and acting I guess made me glued and love this drama so much. The pacing will make you crave for more, the twist is simple, yet done exceptionally. It’s like your favorite romance novel coming into life. This is my must see Taiwan drama of 09 and of all time. 10/10/10

♥Sunny Happiness (2011) – beckoning, entrancing and habit-forming. Mike He at his usual devilish charm and Janine Chang at a very refreshing performance. It will be on my Top 3 taiwan drama this year. ^_^ 9/9/9

♥ Starlit (2009) – A different kind of Jerry Yan here. Stirring, nothing fancy, and will make you cry. It sure will pull the sad veins in your body. At times dragging but the tone of the story kept it afloat. 8.5/8/8.5

♥ Loving Never Forgetting (2014) – ***Bonus Drama (Chinese Drama)

Loving Never Forgetting is the sweet story of a woman who after having a one night stand with the man she greatly admired got entangled again in the past she was trying to bury to save her son’s life. Wu Tong who has full of dreams got an internship at a big company which is owned by her one-sided-first-love. She later got pregnant and after being disowned by her family, she chose to raise her son. On her son’s 5th birthday, he met an accident and was helped by Li Zhung Mo who later donated blood to his long lost son when Wu Tong pleaded for help and revealing his relationship to her son.

They went on a trial for their son’s custody and Wu Tong lost it. Later on Zhung Mo realized the special bond between his son and Wu Tong, and quickly enough he found himself falling in love with her fast. They were faced with family problems and misunderstandings but because they were both holding on to the love they had for each other. They surpassed every challenge thrown at them.

I think even with its simple plot what made the story endearing is how typical their lovestory was. It was not stupidly done with unnecessary conflicts to lengthen it but just focused on how the main leads found their way back to each other while falling in love even more in the process.

Though not tightly woven, it was brimming with on screen love chemistry that I crazily felt it flowing from the television and just making me heave a sigh on when I can possibly have a love like that. *chuckles

If you have been busy with your life and you want a weekend date with Jerry Yan, go catch this drama online. It is always healthy to help yourself with a digital romance serving sometimes. 10/9/10

♥ The Hospital (2006) – Superior directing and scriptwriting. I saw Jerry in different faces and I say he may be struggling in this drama but you will let it pass because it can faintly be felt because of the flowing story. 8.5/10/9

♥ My Lucky Star (2007) – Groovy, high spirited and lingering… Took a few episodes for me to get hooked, but I did eventually. One of those T-dramas with vivacious yet feel-good vibe. 9/9.5/10

♥ Smiling Pasta (2006) – Perky, fun and tantalizing… The vibe is similar to Korea’s Full House. A love tale of an almost-losing-hope-in-love-girl who found her ever-after when she least expected it. 9/9/10

♥ Romantic Princess (2007) – Nothing spectacular, light and quite engrossing… Wu Chun at his prince-like addictive state was what made me enchanted to this another princess-fairytale-like-story. 8.5/8/9

♥ Easy Fortune Happy Life (2009)– It was a nice, sweet drama. With I-have-to-make-you-fall-for-me-to-keep-my-inheritance-in-place major storyline. Then of course the main male lead will be moved by the kind-hearted lead woman. Ijust want to see Chen Qiao En in a different kind of tone just not a typical nice girl image. 8/8.5/9

♥ Calling Big Star (2010) – *priority list

♥ Hana Kimi (2006) – Fast paced, energetic and cute cast. I still prefer the Japanese version though. 8.5/9/9

♥ Corner with Love ( 2007) – Average, sunny and endearing… There were minimal story arcs that should have not been placed but nevertheless the “love-realization” tones they neatly layered made the narrative a must watch. 8.5/8/9

♥ Hi My Sweetheart (2009) – *bucket list

♥ Miss No Good (2008) – Cheerful, sparky and fascinating… This was something that was really full of wit, humor and love. It was a stunner and yet it’s strange that it’s not lingering. 8/8/9

♥ Why Why Love (2007) – the onset was fun, the twist was cool, but the ending was disheartening. 8/8.5/9

♥ Love Contract (2004) – Moody, spry, but will eventually keep you uninvolved… No matter how perfect the lead couple, this justified that you can’t get the best of both worlds. 8/8/8

♥ The Prince Who Turns into a Frog (2005) – satisfactory, sometimes dragging, and I don’t know why it got pretty decent ratings.8/8/8

♥ Knock Knock Loving you (2009) – *bucket list

♥ Lavender (2001) – *bucket list

♥ Love Keeps Going (2011)– I have neglected seeing some Taiwan dramas lately, and so I will spend the remaining days of November finishing the rest of the DVD’s here. I took this darling because of Cyndi Wang and Mike He, and because it’s only 12 episodes. I have a love-hate relationship with him, I’m waiting for him to crawl in my heart and warm it up. I don’t like him that much yet, but I have watched all his drama*giggles And proving that I have the gift of premonition, I chose right. It was a bit weird in the beginning, but when the relationship was established it was charmingly sweet. There were some unnecessary things but the interaction between the lead characters filled up the weak spots I guess. Sunny, remarkable and very doting. 9/9/9

♥ Fated To Love You (2008) – classic, amazing and fascinating… Fated Love was perfectly portrayed by the lead characters. It is a love story I secretly wished to have. 10/10/10

♥ Love or Bread (2008) – Don’t watch it after watching ISWAK, because you’ll just get disappointed. Whatever chemistry they had from the endearing ISWAL turned into Physics here. *giggles 8/8/8

♥ Silence (2006) – The story is compelling, but I don’t know, I feel like it’s missing something. Or I’m just used to the lead couples really talking to each other and not just mutual understanding. ^_^ 8/8/8

♥ Wish to see you again (2008) – sometimes captivating, most of the time though I dozed off… 7/8/8

♥ Down With Love (2010) – I’m forever in love with Jerry Yan, so I watch all his dramas. This could be dragging but you still will drool over him. It will give you mixed emotions and flower petals are scattered everywhere when the lead couple finally surrendered to the idea that they are both in love to one another. 10/10/10

♥ Material Queen (2011)– *bucket list

♥ That Love Comes (2011) – short, simple and sweet. The ending blog love revelation scene was a darling. Nothing much to expect but it will not disappoint you either. Hassle-free and endearing. Joe Cheng, I miss you sweetie. 9/9/9

♥ Skipbeat! (2012)– Watching Skipbeat! was a pleasant experience. It was perky and fun and didn’t deviate much from the manga and the anime production. That’s why maybe I liked it, it played safe while playing on the strength of the characters. The characters were able to live up to their persona, but there’s still room for improvement and sometimes chemistry was delayed. The hero-worshipping and I secretly-love-a-girl-younger-than-me plot were enough to keep you addicted and following. 9/8/9

Ni hao! I really love your list and your ratings are accurate with mine. My love for taiwanese drama also started when I watched Meteor Garden, but why is meteor garden 2 not here? Anyway its not as good as meteor garden 1 so its fine 🙂

I’m actually studying Mandarin and I think watching t-dramas will help me improve my pinyin.
I already watched: MG1&2, ISWAK & TKA, and Next Stop Happiness/Autumns Concerto. I’m planning to watch Fated to Love You now. After I finish watching Fated to Love You, what can you recommend for me to watch next? By the way, I like romantic comedy, but its okay if its a heavy drama as long as the chemistry of the lead characters is really romantic. I hope you can help me, xiexie!! 🙂

If you have some time you can watch “Secret,” its a taiwanese movie where Jay Chou is the main actor. It has a really great plot and its a heavy drama.

Ni hao Zhengyi… Those 4 dramas u mentioned are all my t-drama favorites… Meteor Garden reference means 1 and 2 for me already. Yes, I also saw Secret, and I agree that it was nice. Te Amo Chocolat and In Time With You are tdramas on my bucket list… I’m sorry but i have been busy with watching korean dramas lately… So all those in my list those are all I can refer you to for recommendations.

Two words..Fabulous Boys! Jiro Wang is freakin hot like Lee Min Ho hot.<3 The last time I have watched a Taiwanese Drama was in 2009 and its been all Korean from there.. This is a Much better remake of You're Beautiful compared to the boring Japanese Version.

Bravo!! I just finished the final episode of Bump Off Lover 17. I feel like I just got off a roller coaster ride. There were so many unexpected turns in the story line, but the way it was told kept me on the edge of my seat. The details of the actual crime were not as surprising as the underlying motivation for the events leading up to it. It ended with a nice resolution, but I can not shake this feeling of uneasiness when I think about how it all played out. I definitely give it a 10/10/10 rating, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes mystery stories. I would be happy to have a further discussion with anyone, but I don’t think it would be fair to give away too many of the details. JUST WATCH IT, IT’S THAT GOOD!!!

This is getting very intense, episode 12 has gone from sordid to sinister! I really like the way that Bump Off Lover 17 is keeping me guessing even though there are only 2 episodes left. There are still just as many suspects as before, but the suspicion has become more narrowed-down. I am really looking forward to the resolution. I’ll give my thoughts when I finish the series, but as usual I won’t *spoil* it for anyone. Thanks again for this blog, you’re awesome!!

Hi, it’s me again. I’m vacationing in Canada where I have been able to access “Bump Off Lover 17” on-line. I am really starting to get into it, particularly because it is a mystery story. I have also been enjoying the music throughout the series, especially the opening theme song. But there have been other melodies recurring at strategic moments (and the closing credits). I have always loved the scottish folk song “Annie Laurie”; that tune is hummed during the sad, emotional scenes. However, the song that is really piquing my interest is “Red River Valley”. I do not understand the words being sung being sung on the show, but one of the original English verses goes:

Come and give me a kiss if you love me,
Come and kiss me and bid me adieu,
Say goodbye to the Red River Valley,
And the girl who will love you so true.

It was while watching episode 5 that the symbolism of this song hit me very hard. I will watch the rest of this series during my time off (it is MY vacation, I can do WHATEVER I WANT, HA HA!!) I will give my comments along the way, I am hooked now (PLEASE DON’T SPOIL IT FOR ME!!!!!!)

Does anyone know where I can purchase the DVD set of “Bump Off Lover 17” with English subtitles? It looks so interesting, but I have only been able to find the Chinese version sold by yesasia.com. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

thank you so much harry… I finished Skipbeat just for you, just so I would have a definitive answer for your question… While Skipbeat is pleasant and perky… Autumn’s Concerto was a total package. The Taiwan adaptation didn’t deviate much from the anime production. Siwon and Donghae were of course very nice to drool at but I felt that while the characters were strong at their performance, the romantic connection was missing. So watch Mu Cheng and Ren Guang Xi first. Hope this will help. -jediprincess ^_^